Coinbase Launches XRP Futures After CFTC Approval, Active Addresses Surge 67.5%

Coinbase, the largest US-based crypto exchange, has received regulatory approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to launch XRP futures contracts through its derivatives arm. This development marks a significant milestone for institutional access to XRP altcoin, amidst a broader shakeup in the derivatives market.

Earlier in the month, Coinbase announced its intention to bring regulated XRP futures to market, confirming that it had filed for the offering with the CFTC. The firm anticipated the contract going live on April 21. During the late hours of the US session on Monday, Coinbase confirmed in a follow-up post that the product was live, stating, “Coinbase Derivatives, LLC now offers CFTC-regulated futures for XRP.”

This approval suggests a timely endorsement by the CFTC, potentially opening the door to broader crypto derivatives activity in the US. It is unsurprising, given that the agency recently pivoted toward easing entry into the crypto derivatives sector. The CFTC rolled back several regulatory hurdles that had previously deterred traditional and crypto-native firms. The changes simplify registration requirements and lower operational barriers for launching crypto derivatives products.

With XRP historically maintaining high liquidity and a global user base, it represents a strong candidate for derivatives trading, especially in a newly liberalized environment. Unlike more volatile mid-cap tokens, XRP benefits from a combination of legal clarity following the Ripple lawsuit outcome, broad exchange availability, and a sizable market cap. These elements make it attractive to institutional traders seeking capital-efficient exposure.

Recent on-chain data reveals a sharp uptick in network activity, further bolstering the case for XRP futures. Data shows XRP active addresses surged by 67.5% between April 19 and 20, ahead of Coinbase Derivatives’ XRP futures debut, climbing from 27,352 to 40,366. The spike suggests growing engagement from retail and institutional participants, possibly in anticipation of expanded market access through derivatives.

Still, market sentiment around XRP remains mixed. Despite the regulatory milestone, XRP’s spot price has declined, reflecting broader market consolidation and investor caution. This suggests that while futures listings can enhance liquidity and price discovery over time, short-term price action often diverges from structural developments.